WSP02988

• File Number: 8200.760
• Description: Yampa River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 1/1/1976
• Author: Stearns-Roger
• Title: Environmental Study - Hayden and Craig Colorado - Phase D - Annual Report - 1976
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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during 1975 indicated that the plants may have been under a water stress, therefore, levels
of water stress also were monitored, The incidences of necrotic and chlorotic foliar injury
were extremely low (averaging less than one percent) on the alfalfa and Douglas fir
examined in the study. Foliar symptoms characteristic of acute S02 exposure were not
found on any of the alfalfa plots. The Douglas fir examined appeared to be in good
condition with no detectable differences in injury levels between quadrants, Overall
conclusions of the study are that the levels of chlorosis observed were independent of the
relative level of S01 stress and changes in water stress between sample periods, Therefore, it
appears that the cu~rent levels of S02 emissions from Hayden Station were not responsible
for the foliar chlorosis observed; levels of injury detected appear to represent background
levels of foliar chlorosis which can be expected to occur in sensitive plant species,

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A brief study was conducted in the Hayden Station intake channel to further evaluate the
effects of the intake on the fish populations of the Yampa River. Several fish species were
found to utilize the intake channel. Fry were observed swimming around the intake trash
rocks apparently unaffected by the intake operation_ This observation and the lack of
impinged fish suggests that impingement and entrainment are not problems at Hayden
Station.

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HA YDEN METEOROLOGY

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Meteorological observations were made during 1976 at the site designated as Hayden
Weather Station located approximately 0.3 miles south of Hayden Station, Wind speed and
direction data were recorded at a 3D-foot weather tower; and a hygrothermograph housed in
a standard instrument shelter was used for measuring temperature and relative humidity.

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Meteorological observations have been recorded at this sitc sincc Novcmber 1970, The
prevailing winds during 1976 were consistent with the previous five years and were
channeled up and down the Yampa River Valley by topographical influences,

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HAYDEN WATER RESOURCES

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The physical and chemical characteristics of watercourses in the vicinity of Hayden Station
were studied during 1976, Individual water samples were collected from the Yampa River
near the Hayden Station Pumphouse, from Sage Creek above and below the ash disposal
pond overflow weir, and at two points on Grassy Creek above and below the confluence of
drainages from the Seneca II mine area, A continuous water monitor located at the Hayden
Station Pumphouse recorded temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen data,

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The data show a significant improvement in the quality of Sage Creek below the overflow
weir since cessation of effluent discharges from Hayden Station, Trace element concentra-
tions in the Yampa River generally were low but several elements (e.g. iron, manganese,
copper) were in concentrations exceeding V,S, Public Health Service Drinking Water
Standards, In Grassy Creek, total dissolved solids often reached high levels; trace element
concentrations exceeded public health water standards for iron, lead, manganese and
mercury, The continuous water monitor recorded averages and ranges of basic stream
parameters providing a basis from which diurnal and seasonal relationships were analyzed,

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